Here's what I have so far:
* The Red Wizards of Saruun are an enclave named for its founder, a member of an extremely traditional faction - bald and tattooed - who set-up the enclave as a retreat and to exploit trade between the Underdark and other Red Wizard enclaves.
* It attracts those who prefer the Underdark or don't like the outer world: outcasts and recluses.
* Are we allowed a half-drow?
* There are one or two ultra-traditionalist - the faction needs a name. Want to retake their ancestral lands - Thay - and uphold their heritage.
* One of the wizards is a member of the Brotherhood of the True Flame, a secret faction that worships Kossuth, has links to the Zakharan version and has access to an assassins fellowship. I'm thinking a brotherhood of fire wizards, warlocks with an infernal pact with fire effects instead of dark flame, wizard/warlocks, assassin/warlocks and other fun combinations.
* There are one or two normal merchant wizards.
* The enclave doesn't care what you do unless it is likely to bring down the wrath of outsiders on the enclave or close the trade route.
* A lot of their business is sourcing Underdark commodities for other Red Wizard enclaves or shipping stuff from other enclaves to the Underdark.
Thoughts? Suggestions? Character outlines? I think there should be five or six wizards (or warlocks).
I was thinking that the Red Wizards of Saruun desire to return to their ancestoral homeland. This is why they remain so hidden in the Underdark.
The group desires to focus its energies reclaiming Thay, not on attacking or weakening Cormyr. This is why the wizard Paldemar has grown disastified with this group and why he desires to "take over" Bloodhorn. The Red Wizards of Saruun see conflict with Cormyr as undermining their own goals.
This is a start..... I will post some profiles of these Red Wizards sometime this weekend. I have a couple of ideas, but i need to flesh them out a little more.:D
Half-drow should not be a problem. We use the half-elf race from the Player's Handbook as though it were for Half-Drow. I imagine you can do the same with this write up.
Looking forward to more for this one (I want to use it in my campaign!)
:D
The trading compound was established 25 years ago by three Red Wizards who originally came from the Wizards Reach. They included the ultra traditionalist Red Wizard Hasifir Tyrantos, the sultry Niame the Superficial and Samazar of the True Flame. It was Hasifir’s vision and knowledge of the Minotaur labyrinth that spearheaded the creation of the enclave. In fact, it was Hasifir who mastered the Bronze Warders through his discovery of the command amulets. The Red Wizards are sometimes known as the Mages of Saruun, named after one of the most rebellious Red Wizards from the Wizards Reach who perished in a coup against Szass Tam.
Despite the small size of this enclave, this Red Wizard enclave is very influential, due to its proximity to the ruins of the dwarf city of Tethyamar, the Drow city of Sschindylryn, the duegar cities of Dirk Hargunen and Dunspeirrin and the fire giant city of Maerimydra. The enclve profits by selling cheap magic items (levels 1-3) every ten days in a tent near the Minotaur Statue (#14 on the Seven Pillared Hall Map). Those seeking magic items in these Underdark regions know the Red Wizards produce quality items. Those seeking higher level magic item also know that sometimes, that the Mages of Saruun might have just the thing. Though originally established as a Red Wizard Enclave, Niame persuaded other entrepreneurs to create establishments in the Hall, provided they pay the Wizards’ taxes.
Seven Pillared Hall has functioned as a launching point (or resting point) for anyone brave enough to travel the Underdark. The Hall has been especially prosperous for about the last 10 years, when the Grimmerzhul Trading Post from Dirk Hargunen was established. Today, humanoids such as goblins and hobgoblins, dwarves from Glen, duegar, drow, and even Azer from Maeryridra come to Seven Pillared Hall to sell or purchase gems, valuable ores, slaves, foodstuffs and other rare goods. Under the watchful eyes of the Mages of Saruun and the Bronze Warders, trade has prospered as these races have managed to live in a fragile truce.
History DC 20: Bloodthorn Labyrinth Enclave in the Seven Pillared Halls is not officially sanctioned by Thay. In fact, it was established in direct defiance to Szass Tam. The original purpose of the enclave seemed to raise funds to support another coup in Thay, so that the Red Wizards could return to their ancestral homeland. The three founders of the Seven Pillared Hall deeply shared a vision of a restored Thay, one without the heavy hand of Szass Tam.
History DC 25: With the growth of Seven Pillared Hall, Hasafir decided to recruit “local” arcane spell casters to join his Mages of Saruun. These individuals included Barkir NightStryfe (a half-drow dark pact warlock), the human wizard Ornotor (from Sembia) and the human wizard Paldemar.
Streetwise DC 20: Azers have been found in increasing numbers of late. Some say the fire dwelling dwarves are agents of the Fire Titan, Hledh, who seeks to add Bloodthorn Mountain to her domain.
Streetwise DC 25: There is dissention amongst the Mages of Saruun. Not all share the original goals of the Mages, to reclaim Thay from the tyrannical clutches of Szass Tam. Hasifir Tyrantos and Samazar are by far the most fanatical towards this goal. Niame the Superficial seems more content to make money and live a decadent lifestyle that serve a greater purpose. Some whisper that the half-drow Barkir Nightstriyfe has more loyalty towards his drow homeland than the Mages of Saruun. Paldemar seems to hold a grudge against Comyr and would rather strike that country that make an attack on Thay. Finally, Orontor seems more concerned about establishing a foothold against Shade and the Fire Giants of Maerimydra than making any sort of strike against Thay.
That’s all for night. Later I’ll post a profile of each of the six Mages of Saruun.
Background
The Tyrantos family has long enjoyed a history of influence and wealth in the Wizard’s Reach. As a noble family that was related to the ex-zulkir Anzar Thrul, the Tyrantos family commanded considerable resources to use to their benefit. At least one child in every generation gained an apprenticeship as a Red Wizard, and all children, regardless of their arcane abilities, learned the fine arts of diplomacy and political maneuvering.
The Tyantos clan was lead by an inspiring Red Wizard named Saruun, who fiercely opposed the tyranny of Szass Tam after the Spell Plague. Saruun was one of major Red Wizards who foiled Tam’s master plan in achieving godhood. Though the Saruun and his insurgent wizards were killed that fateful day, they prevented Tam in achieving his ultimate goal.
Fearing for his own safety after Tam’s failed attempt to ascent to divinity, Hasfir and six other of his Red Wizard allies in the Wizards Reach decided to flee and literally “go underground”. A bit of a history buff, Hasifir learned from his studies of an ancient Minotaur Underdark Labyrinth called Bloodhorn Labyrinth that spanned for miles below the Dalelands and Cormyr. For years a red dragon named Thraxxus, kept curious adventurers away; however, Hasifir noted that red dragon possibly perished shortly after the Spell Plague. Perhaps in the dragon’s absence this labyrinth could be seized; it would be a perfect place to establish a very profitable enclave due to the proximity of so many key Underdark sites.
In honor of Saruun’s noble sacrifice, Hassifir’s group decided to call themselves the Mages of Saruun and vowed to use the majority of their profits to support any efforts to reclaim Thay. Hassifir and his followers spent many months in the ruins of the Bloodthorn Labyrinth. The Mages lost three members and dozens of retainers. Just when Hassifir’s bold plan seemed doomed, he discovered the command amulets. After Hassifir discovered and learned how to master the command amulets of the bronze warders, his operation speedily advanced. Using the Bronze Warders, the Mages of Saruun cleared the uppermost level of the ruins and established the Seven Pillared Hall, and within a few years established a Red Wizard Enclave. Key to the empire’s success was control of the Bronze Warders.
Hasifir was persuaded by Niame the Superificial to permit other Underdark denizens to settle the Seven Pillared Hall and tax their services. Hasifir appreciated how Niame managed to cultivate an thriving Underdark community. Hassifir; however, has grown irratble towards the seductress. One reason is that Niame urged Hassifir to permit the Bloodreavers a refuge in Seven Pillared Hall. Though Hassifir is not morally opposed to slavery, he fears a slave trade might attract unwanted attention from Cormyr. Yet the enterprise has been profitable so far……..
Hasifir disapproves on Niame’s increased hedonistic attitude; she seems more concerned with personal vanity and pleasure than upholding the principles of the Mages of Saruun. To add insult, Niame has decided to grow her hair long, which further angers the ultra-traditional Hasifir.
Niame was also instrumental in recruiting three new members of the Mages of Saruun-- Paldemar, Bakir Nightstryfe, and Orontor. Initially, Hasifir greatly appreciated the valuable knowledge of the local area that these three members possessed and shared with Hasifir. However, within the last two years, Hasifir has come to suspect that Paldemar and Nightstryfe have other motives that could undermine the Seven Pillared Hall. He has not yet made a direct move against these two, but has a pair of tiefling assassins in service to Samazar heavily watching Nightstryfe’s dealings. Hasifir curses himself for not placing a more steady watch upon the Cormyr-hating Paldemar before he disappeared.
Currently, Hasifir is closet to the other ultra-traditionalist, Samazar, but greatly respects the abilities and loyalty of Orontor. He is disappointed with Niame, and does not trust Nightstryfe and especially not Paldemar.
Physical Appearance
Hasifir resembles most Mulan. He is tall and slim, with yellow-tinted skin and deep dark eyes. He keeps himself religiously shaved, revealing the mystic tattoos that cover his body. Taken altogether, the tattoos resemble a balor, but most people never see the entire image underneath his red robes. He walks with his back straight and chin up, carrying himself with a regal, confident poise.
Personality
He is unfailingly calm and polite in public, and is careful not to be too polite unless the situation demands. He is an advocate of proper etiquette and social mores. He follows the traditional style dress as his ancestors. He is ambitious to a fault, and coldly calculating. His determination has gotten him this far, and he believes as long as the Mages of Saruun stay true to their original ideals, Thay can be resettled again.
Thanks guys!
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EDIT: Question: Did you have a general idea where to place this location (or did I miss it?)
kudos to you.
0. What have I started??? This is great stuff.
1. I'm tempted to include a branch of the Bloodghost Syndicate here in place of the Bloodreavers (or have the Bloodreavers be a cover for them, at least). They'd be fun to deal with at mid-to-high heroic levels, and could make an interesting group for the Brotherhood of the Flame to co-operate with.
2. The Brotherhood of the Flame have one of their major fortresses in an outpost of Maerimydra. They've made a deal with Hledh - also a worshipper of Kossuth - for protection and secrecy in exchange for doing her work in the wider world. They use slave caravans through the Seven Pillared Hall as cover and have a deal with the Bloodreavers to help move them through - Brothers have been known to pose as slaves in the interests of secrecy.
3. The Brotherhood also use the Red Wizard teleport traffic to and from the the Halls as cover: the enclave here is a major hub for Red Wizard trade to and from the Underdark and it's not uncommon to see several visiting groups in a week.
4. The Mages are more than happy to encourage the pacification of Thunder Gap and increasing traffic along the Easy Way - it would be good for their trade and a new state there that they could control would make an excellent base to start rebuilding their empire.
5. I want to work on the other hangers on around the mages - spouses, children, apprentices, guards and so on. I'm thinking a population of forty or fifty just in the enclave! The Hall must have a population of the order of a hundred or so.
6. No enclaves are under Tam's control, as far as I can see.
7. What do we call the faction who are loyal to Tam?
8. What do we call the Traditionalist faction? Anyone got a good evocative Thayan title?
6. No enclaves are under Tam's control, as far as I can see.
Not that I am a rules lawyer, but isn't there an enclave in Undumor (Emmerch) in Aglarond? I was under the impression that this was controlled by Tam.
Background: Samazar, unlike Hasifir, was not born into a family or Red Wizards. In fact, Samazar had a very humble upbringing. He was raised in slums of Delthuntle (main city in the Wizards Reach) to a drunkard father and prostitute mother. Samazar was used to a life of hardship. Much of his youth was spent doing odd jobs, the income promptly drunk up by his father. His mother was murdered by street thugs shortly after Samazar was eleven years old. His father’s drinking and abuse became all the harsher after his mother’s death. At age fifteen, his father administered a particularly brutal beating to Samazar. Samazar had enough, and fled that night to a Kossuth Church to seek refuge from his angry father.
From that day on, Samazar sought the safe haven of the Church, as their high priest, Avron Kiranos, filled the role of a surrogate father. Samazar became further indoctrinated in the teachings of Kossuth, especially his vision of a renewed role in a restored Thay. Avron taught the eager Samazar of the purity of fire and the ecstasy of revenge.
Inspired by his teacher’s words, Samazar became a Fire Pact Warolck on his 17th birthday, and sought after his drunken father. Filled with the confidence of his new powers, he hunted his father down, and killed him with an eldritch blast in side his old home. The resulting conflagration incinerated his father, home, and much of his neighborhood, and Samazar, who avoided capture by the authorities, retreated back to the safety of the Church of Kossuth.
A life changing experience occurred when Avron accompanied the insurgent Red Wizard Saruun in his attempt to slay Tam. Avron, along with Saruun, were killed just outside of Thaymount. Bitter and angry at Szzass Tam, for killing his adopted father, Samazar searched for avenues of possible revenge. He asked the Church’s roguish contact to find ways for him to carry out his revenge. His contacts introduced him to Hasfir, who was seeking ultra traditional Red Wizards to retake the land of Thay. Samazr eagerly joined Hasifir’s “Mages of Saruun”.
For the next 25 years, Samazar and the other Mages of Saruun persevered and forged an unlikely wizard enclave under Bloodthorn Mountain. He remains Hassifir’s most trusted colleague of the Mages, but his unfailing loyalty has wavered in the last four years.
Five years ago, Azers working for agents for the Fire Titan, Hledh have arrived in Seven Pillared Hall seeking new allies in the subterranean community. After two years of careful negotiation, Samazar joined the Brotherhood of the True Flame and created an alliance with the Fire Titan. Thanks to the Bloodreavers increased activity, Hledh gained cheap slaves. She also gained relatively easy access to the surface world. Samazar, in return, has gained significant monetary compensation, a powerful fire implement, two hell hound guards, and two tiefling assassins who serve as his eyes and ears in Bloodhorn Labyrinth.
Today, Samazar secretly serves three masters (Hasifir, Bortherhood of the True Flame, and Hledh); he believes that the goals of these three masters actually compliment each other. Since he still desires to rid Tam in Thay and reestablish the Church of Kossuth in this land, he remains a strong supporter of the Mages of Saruun and their ultimate goal. Samazar believes by serving the Brotherhood of the True Flame and Hledh, Samazar can add more stability to Seven Pillared Hall; they might even serve as allies in the ultimate quest to return to Thay.
Samazar, through the use of his two spies, has learned that Brakir Nightstryfe was originally from Maerimydra, before it fell to Hledh’s forces. Samazar has also unearthed information that Brakir has accepted audience from Drow from Sschindylrn who seek to expand their influence over the region at the expense of Hledh. Soon, it appears that perhaps Samazar and the half drow are approaching a collision course……….
Despite his multiple loyalities, Samazar has the utmost respect for the ambitious Hasifir. After all, it was Hasifir’s vision that led to the creation of Seven Pillared Hall. Samazar thinks that Niame has become too self-absorbed to be trusted. Samazar respects Orontor, though he feels he is too willing to share information with outsiders. Samazar is frustrated about the disappearance of Paldemar and curses himself for focusing too much on the activities of Brakir Nightstryfe rather than the dangerous threat of Paldemar.
Physical Appearance: Samazar appears as a tall Mulan with a rugged face, often with the stubble of a beard, gives the impression that he's not unused to hardship and rough living. He always wears red clothing, whether it is formal or practical clothing. He keeps his bald head clean shaved at all times. The left side of his face is covered with a tattoo of Kossuth’s holy symbol. Samzar’s back is covered with similar flame-like designs.
Personality: Samazar maintains an agreeable demeanor, though his arrogant nature shows itself from time to time. Samazar has a dark mind, however, feeling that the world owes him something for his hardships, and that it's up to him to collect the debt. He is selfish, ruthless, ambitious, and power-hungry. He seeks to better understand his authority over his fire magic, and to use his powers to achieve a better station in life. He envisions himself lord of a manor back in his ancestor’s homeland, Thay, while serving as the benefactor of a powerful Church of Kossuth.
Niame “the Superficial”
Background: Niame was born in Delhthuntle, the City of Dolphins, in the Wizards’ Reach. She was born as a member of House Maskhlann, the city’s most influential merchant family.
Niame grew up surrounded by wealth and prestige. As a result, she learned to enjoy
expensive clothes, jewelry, and other expensive luxuries. She learned to appreciate money and the power that it could buy. She studied diligently about the ways of merchants in order to amass more fortune.
Because House Maskhlann had trade interests with Benzantur, Niame’s father had a long term interest for a reclaimed Thay. House Maskhlann was gravely disappointed with the failed rebellion led by Saruun. House Maskhlann was eager to rekindle past trading interests with the former Thayan metropolis. But alas, this was not to occur.
House Masklann quickly became a sympathizer of the teachings of a young Red Wizard named Hasifir. The energetic leader of the Mages of Saruun tried to recruit members for his crusade. Intrigued by the inspiring Hasifir, and persuaded by her sympathetic family, Niame, decided to engage in a ritual in order to become a Hell spawned warlock. Eager for excitement and the possibility to restore some family honor, she quickly joined after mastering her new warlock powers.
For many years, she was Hasif’s most loyal supporter. She enthusiastically followed every order requested by Hasifir during the first few years that the Mages of Saruun explored the depths under Bloodhorn. Niame’s patience; however, had its limits. Just before Hasif acquired the services of the Bronze Warders, she was seriously considering abandoning Hasif’s enterprise and return to the Wizards’ Reach. With the mastering of the Bronze Warders brought stability. With stability brought customers, and lots of financial opportunities.
At first, Seven Pillared Hall profited just by selling cheap magic items as a Red Wizard Enclave. Niame was able to convince Hasifir to be more ambitious, and establish a permanent Underdark community that would engage in all kinds of illicit and non-illicit trade—all of which would be heavily taxed and in order to fill the coffers of the Mages of Saruun. Soon after Duegars from Grimmerzhul created a permanent trading post, the flow of money in and out of Seven Pillared Hall really began to increase.
In the past few years, Niame has relished in the prosperity of Seven Pillared Hall. She has became increasing interested in more profit making schemes, including allowing the Bloodreavers to set up residence just outside the Hall. She has forged an intricate web of mercantile alliances with powerful Drow houses in Sschindyrlryn, the Fire Titan Hledh, and Duegar from surrounding communities.
Personality: Niame feels entitled to live in a luxurious manner. She persevered for over twenty years to attain her current level of wealth. During the past few years, she now only pays lip service to the greater goals of the Mages of Saruun (reclaiming Thay). She is completely content to live out the rest of her life in Seven Pillared Hall amid her great wealth that she has generated. Though she is a scholar and a collector of enchanted items, much of her time is spent on pursuits of vanity. She has spent countless hours researching ways to remain youthful and beautiful. She has become a very decadent person lately, indulging in many luxuries in the privacy of her own portion of the Tower of Saruun. She has grown increasingly found of pleasures of the flesh and wine. As a result of her recent debaucheries, she had acquired the nickname “the Superficial”, though no one ever calls her that in her presence………
For than anything, her primary loyalty is to herself. Amassing a personally fortune and living a life of sheer pleasure and decadence in Seven Pillared Hall is her primary motivation, and she is willing to fight any who dare to interfere with her lifestyle. Though bit unreliable and flighty, she is a powerful warlock who can be absolutely ruthless when she is focused on a task or senses that some injustice has been done to her.
Physical Appearance: Niame appears as a very tall, slender Mulan, standing over six feet. She has completely shaves all body hair with the exception of her long, straight, black hair that she has recently allowed to grow out. Her face is completely covered with runes that Niame acquired as a result of her initial warlock ritual. The runes flare up bright red whenever she loses her angry or his experiencing a moment of sheer delight or ecstasy. She always wears red; her clothing also tends to accentuate the pleasant features of her body.
Appearance:
This half-elf drow has a posture that is upright, though he is short and has an innate restlessness to him. Though his face is often obscured from view behind his red robe, one may catch a glimpse of a single bright blue eye, a clear sign of his human heritage.
When not hooded, his dusky grey skin and white-blonde hair show that he is a drow-human crossbreed. He has a series of intricate web-like tattoos circling around his left eye. The other side of his face is plain. He often wears a haughty sneer when talking to humans or elves.
Background:
Bakir is the child of a woodsman's daughter, only just of marriage age, who was raped during a Drow raid into the Dalelands; her life only spared by accident as local Daleland militiamen arrived to drive off the invading Drow attackers. The young woman gave birth to a half-drow male, reluctantly naming him Bakir. There followed a very sheltered childhood, as the bastard child was concealed to hide her mother's shame. Following her mother's marriage to a middle-aged merchant from Highmoon some years later, Bakir felt pressured to leave, and soon fled into the King’s forest and in hopes to discover a route to the Underdark city, Sschindyryn, in hopes of learning more about her father’s culture. The novice adventurer was quickly captured by a Drow patrol in the forest. The ignorant half-drow was sold into slavery and purchased by House Nightstryfe, a moderately powerful house in Sschindylryn.
After enduring months of unspeakable horrors at the hands of his Drow masters, Bakir became desperate and unknowingly made a dark pact to protect him. The pact was successful, and Bakir was wise to conceal his hidden, growing power until one day he lashed out a furious assault of spells on his ogre tormentor (a hired thug of House Nightstryfe). The Matron Mother of the clan was impressed by the resolve of this half-drow, and decided to free him of his slavery.
The Matron Mother soon became an adopted mother of Bakir. The Matron Mother, Arnessa, did not free Bakir out of sympathy; instead, Arnessa believed that his worldly knowledge of the surface world, and his ability to fit in better with humans could be a boon for her House’s fortunes. Bakir spent years serving the interests of House Nightstryfe.
It was among these people that Bakir for the first time in his life felt confident. He was, perhaps due to her blood or the lack of a mother's love, a natural bully, and given training he came to prove a handy enforcer for his adopted Drow House. As his power began to grow, Arnessa ordered him to go afar on a new mission of great importance.
Arnessa was quite a skilled merchant, having contacts all around the region. Twenty years ago one of her contacts, Niame, sought to solidify trading alliances between Seven Pillars Hall and her House. Niame was also seeking new wizard or warlock recruits to serve in the Red Wizards of Saruun. Arnessa ordered her adopted son to join the Wizards in order to keep her house informed about the events in the Underdark near the Dales. Arnessa especially desired information about Maerimydra. Arnessa believed that by acquireing important information about this city would raise her House’s status, since there is an interest for many drow in Sscindylryn to reclaim the city.
Hasifir was initially very pleased with Niame’s recruit. Bakir provided a great deal of information about the surrounding Underdark lands and cities. His interest about the activities in Maerimydra was made Samazar naturally suspicious of the half-drow, causing him to place two tiefling assassins to monitor the half-drow’s activities.
Personality: Sullen at times, volatile at others, Bakir is a chaotic mix of emotions. He can enjoy jokes, especially mean-spirited or jokes that run 'close to the bone'. Due to his glib tongue, he makes friends easily, especially with humanoids and other outcasts, but has been known to make friends among dwarves and duegar. He is occasionally involved with romantic trysts with Niame, depending on her state of mind.
He respects those who respect him, but can be sly and manipulative when he needs to be. Bakir is looking for some kind of stability and security in life, and believes that House Nightstryfe can provide that sense of belonging. He has a bitter disdain for the humans of the Dales, like his mother, who treated him like an outsider. His main concerns include making money and serving the interests of his adopted family, whom he wishes to please above all else. Ironically, Arnessa views him as a tool for vital information, and nothing else.
Background:
Orontor’s parents were from the small town of Ilipur, in the dragon coast; his family was the last generation to live in that town before it was lost during the Spell Plague. His family later resettled in Teziir. Growing up, Ornotor was an intelligent lad, and was fascinated by magic, partly due to hearing tales of its impact on the Dragon Coast in stories told by his parents. THugh his parents were common laborers, the two managed to save enough money to send Orontor to study under as an apprentice to the local wizard in Teziir.
Soon after graduating from apprenticeship, Orontor joined a mercenary group called the Lake Ravens. After a few years of hunting down pirates, bandits, and other threats along the Dragonmere., the Lake Ravens clashed with a far more powerful and organized force: Cormyr. A petty baron of Proskur called Arthur Priamos, along with his chief ally, an illicit arcane trader named Paldemar, hired the Lake Ravens to challenge Cormyr’s “occupation” of the Dragon Coast. Primamos was killed in battle by Cormyr’s War Wizards. Most of the members of the Lake Ravens were either killed or captured by the Purple Dragons. Orontor and Paldemar managed to narrowly escape capture.
The two mages escaped the reach of Cormyr by settling in Nathlekh City, located in the Shou Federal State of Nathlan. The two lived in the city’s Foreigner’s District for about six months before being contacted by Niame, who hand significant mercantile contacts within the commercial centers in Nathlekh City. Still fearful of Cormyr’s agents, the two runaway mages eagerly accepted the offer of the persuasive Red Wizard to join their cause.
The two mages were initially a very valuable addition to the Mages of Saruun. Orontor’s knowledge of the cities along the Dragon Coast proved to be helpful in establishing new contacts. Paldemar’s familiarity with illicit arcane operations was another added benefit for the enclave. The two were responsible for gaining hundreds of new customers.
Besides seeking safety, Paldemar joined the Mages of Saruun in hope that the organization would oppose Cormyr. After ten years of loyal service to the Mages, Paldemar hoped that the Mages would be more confrontational with Cormyr. The Mages refusal to move against Cormyr, caused Paldemar to begin to plot against his fellow wizards.
Personality
In contrast to Paldemar’s bitter feelings towards Cormyr, Orontor has no grudge against his former enemy. Orontor was heard reports that Cormyr’s “occupation” of the Dragon Coast cities has brought a degree of stability and security to the region. He has concluded that the threat of Netheril would be best kept in check by a powerful Cormyr.
Orontor has a soft heart for his hometown of Proskur, and even donated money to the troubled town. He would love to someday restore some of the former wealth of the Dragon Coast towns that were devastated so much during the Spell Plague. He, along with Hasifir and Samazar, also desires a Thay that is without Tam’s influence. Orontor dreams that one day, a reclaimed Thay would emerge. Orontor would love to establish a Thayan Enclave in Proskur or another Dragon Coast town, but he realizes that this is a very long term goal. Yet, Seven Pillared Hall has prospered enough in recent years to make his long term vision become a little closer to becoming a realistic possibility.
Physical Appearance
Orontor is a short, overweight man, standing about 5'4" and weighing about 190 pounds. He keeps his head completely shaven and is covered with many arcane symbols. He keeps his black beard and mustache neatly trimmed. His blue eyes sparkle with intelligence and curiosity.